Ben Davies: “The first time you pull on the shirt, you realise the magnitude of this club”

Ten years (and a day), 330 appearances, and Ben Davies goes all the way back to the beginning for one of his biggest highlights in a Spurs shirt.

The versatile Wales international defender reached a decade at the Club on Tuesday. Signing for us in Toronto during our tour of the USA and Canada aged 21 on 23 July, 2014, it’s apt he’s on tour again, this time in Tokyo, as he reached such an impressive milestone.

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Tributes poured in on Ben’s 10th anniversary - including this, from his team-mate of nine years and close friend, Heung-Min Son - and that’s a mark of the man, as well as a player who has given his all for the shirt in those 10 years.

Speaking to us in Japan on Wednesday morning, local time, Ben reflected: “It’s one of those things where it’s obviously a long time, but it’s felt very quick. There have been plenty of ups, plenty of downs as well, but I wouldn’t have it any other way… it’s been great.”

Asked for a highlight, Ben went back to his full debut against AEL Limassol in the Europa League play-off, first leg, a 2-1 win on a balmy night in Cyprus, where Harry Kane and Roberto Soldado scored, and Ben was joined by the likes of Hugo Lloris, Sandro, Mousa Dembele, Andros Townsend and Aaron Lennon in what was Mauricio Pochettino’s second match in charge on 21 August, 2014.

“There are so many highlights, but I think back to when I made my debut for this club, the first time you pull on the shirt, you realise the magnitude of this club, you realise who you are playing for, and you feel that responsibility. Over 10 years later, that feeling has never gone away.”